I enjoy any place with water. Forests with creeks, rivers, the beach etc.
I enjoy the sounds of moving water as well as the flora and fauna that surround it.
I always like a potential to see foraging animals, a rock, plant, or tree i have never seen before.
Lastly, like looking up the stars in the night sky, it reminds me that I am just a small animal roaming around the planet and much of what i worry about simply does not matter.
So perspective and connection with the earth it was it does for me. ☺️
Love these details ... which actually are well supported by research on the benefits of AWE (and perhaps a reminder that I should write about that work in a subsequent newsletter)!
I am very fortunate to live within easy walking distance to the Monterey Bay and areas of the Del Monte forest. I walk daily for chats with my husband, to relieve stress and to take time to stop and smell the roses or in my case appreciate my surroundings. It really can be restorative to walk in nature.
This is important, I believe - distinguishing between just being out doors and being out out outdoors. Aptitude tests I took in high school pegged me for a forest Ranger. I wish I’d followed their lead. Thank you, Catherine.
I'm fortunate to work in a library on a college campus with sidewalks and plenty of greenspace between the buildings. I try to walk everyday on my 15-minute break. There are large ponds that attract birds. I like to look up through the palm fronds and take in the beauty of puffy white clouds against a vivid blue sky. Today is turning into one of those days where I probably won't have time to even take my break, but I'll be outside in a few hours!! Catherine, thank you for another meaningful article :)
I love that you make an intentional point of walking outside on your break! Your comment also illustrates the benefits of biodiversity (diverse types of nature) - not just green space but also sky and birds.
I get the same feelings being in the forest, and also in the wide open deserts. But maybe that's just me.
It's interesting that you talk about loggers and foresters. A friend, who did research in the lumber industry, pointed out that they have about the highest death rate of any occupation.
Although I also find water and forest walks very relaxing, I'm glad you mentioned wide open deserts, which I find particularly calming perhaps because they are so exquisitely quiet. Is there research comparing forest vs desert walks?
This is such a great question - and I just checked: there is NO research on this! I agree with your intuition about the benefits of deserts (and some research on "awe" in natural spaces suggests that this type of natural space is calming). This might be a good topic for an upcoming newsletter - thanks for the suggestion!
These are both such an important points! There is clear research on the benefits of green space - forests and parks - although virtually no research on the benefits of deserts (which is such an intriguing idea).
And yes, we talk about the high rate of fatalities in the lumber industry in my health psychology class at length. I believe this link is caused in part by high rates of injuries? This is an important reminder that interpreting data is complex!
I enjoy any place with water. Forests with creeks, rivers, the beach etc.
I enjoy the sounds of moving water as well as the flora and fauna that surround it.
I always like a potential to see foraging animals, a rock, plant, or tree i have never seen before.
Lastly, like looking up the stars in the night sky, it reminds me that I am just a small animal roaming around the planet and much of what i worry about simply does not matter.
So perspective and connection with the earth it was it does for me. ☺️
Love these details ... which actually are well supported by research on the benefits of AWE (and perhaps a reminder that I should write about that work in a subsequent newsletter)!
Look forward to it!
I am very fortunate to live within easy walking distance to the Monterey Bay and areas of the Del Monte forest. I walk daily for chats with my husband, to relieve stress and to take time to stop and smell the roses or in my case appreciate my surroundings. It really can be restorative to walk in nature.
That sounds ideal - ocean and forest!
Restorative is a great term. I love that!!! Spot on!
This is important, I believe - distinguishing between just being out doors and being out out outdoors. Aptitude tests I took in high school pegged me for a forest Ranger. I wish I’d followed their lead. Thank you, Catherine.
That's a great point - and amazing that you remember that aptitude test! And still a good reminder to spend time outdoors when you can!!!
I'm fortunate to work in a library on a college campus with sidewalks and plenty of greenspace between the buildings. I try to walk everyday on my 15-minute break. There are large ponds that attract birds. I like to look up through the palm fronds and take in the beauty of puffy white clouds against a vivid blue sky. Today is turning into one of those days where I probably won't have time to even take my break, but I'll be outside in a few hours!! Catherine, thank you for another meaningful article :)
I love that you make an intentional point of walking outside on your break! Your comment also illustrates the benefits of biodiversity (diverse types of nature) - not just green space but also sky and birds.
And I do hope you make it outside today!!!
I get the same feelings being in the forest, and also in the wide open deserts. But maybe that's just me.
It's interesting that you talk about loggers and foresters. A friend, who did research in the lumber industry, pointed out that they have about the highest death rate of any occupation.
Although I also find water and forest walks very relaxing, I'm glad you mentioned wide open deserts, which I find particularly calming perhaps because they are so exquisitely quiet. Is there research comparing forest vs desert walks?
This is such a great question - and I just checked: there is NO research on this! I agree with your intuition about the benefits of deserts (and some research on "awe" in natural spaces suggests that this type of natural space is calming). This might be a good topic for an upcoming newsletter - thanks for the suggestion!
These are both such an important points! There is clear research on the benefits of green space - forests and parks - although virtually no research on the benefits of deserts (which is such an intriguing idea).
And yes, we talk about the high rate of fatalities in the lumber industry in my health psychology class at length. I believe this link is caused in part by high rates of injuries? This is an important reminder that interpreting data is complex!